Article tripped marking device



July 15, 1952 E. KLUG ARTICLE TRIPPED MARKING DEVICE 3 SheetsSheet 1 Filed May 25, 1947 INVENiOR ER/f/WVD' A7. 06-

4 07M ATTORNEY E. KLUG ARTICLE TRIPPED MARKINGDEVICE July 15, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1947 QQ v I INVENTOR ER IM'IED- A7. 06

ATTORNEY July 15, 1952 G ARTICLE TRIPPED MARKING DEVICE Filed May 25, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR. V

in a M w m Kym M H 5 Patented July 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFECE 13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in marking devices and is particularly directed to a device which is entirely automatic in operation.

The device of the present invention is adapted for marking articles regardless of whether the marking is carried out by marking on the surface, indenting in the surface, printing with type, etching with acid, stamping with dies or any other method whereby indicia in any form is applied to or embedded in the surface of an article.

While the present invention has application in many fields it is particularly well adapted for marking containers, packages or other objects While the same are in motion, although it is to be understood that the marking device is suitable also for marking articles that are stationary. However for convenience of'illustration and description the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings as applied to the marking of moving objects, and that adaptation will herein be described, from which, the adaptation thereof to other fields readily will'be appreciated; it being understood that the illustration and description of one adaptation is not to be construed as limiting the field of application of the device or the scope of the invention.

It is customary to mark many articles of. man ufacture With a trade-mark brand, date, code or other indicia. Some articles have the marking appli d directly to the article, while others have the marking applied to the wrapper or package containing the article.

In some instances such marking is carried out by manually impressing on the article or package an inked rubber stamp, bearing the desired in- 'dicia.v This being a relatively slow procedure attempts have been made to mark or imprint the packages or articles {automatically as the same are fed through a wrapping machine or on a moving conveyor. These attempts, however, have not been successful because of blurring of the impression and for other reasons. In such devices the printing or type barwhich gen erally is cam actuated, has a fixed stroke and the bar must complete its stroke in the printing direction under the influence ofthe cam before it is retracted. In the employment of such devices where the articles to be marked vary in size or where one is slightly above the height for which the type or printing bar is set, the bar will press tightly against or into the article resulting in blurring of theimpression and sometimes injuring the article or package. On the other hand should one of the articles bebelow 2 the height for which the type or printing bar is set, the article will not be marked. It will be appreciatedthat continued adjustment of the type or printing bar to accommodate articles of various sizes defeats the very purpose of auto-'- matic marking due tothe time required for making such adjustments.

Moreovenwhere such devices are employed for marking moving objects great difliculty has been experienced in retracting the marking element before relative movement of the object, while in contactwith the marking element, takes place. Such relative movement results in a blurring of the marking.

Other attempts to mark articles with an impression roller, by having the roller and article move relatively to each other, have the obj action that the uneven surfaces of certain articles;re-'

suit in improper and inadequate marking. j

One of the objects of the present invention resides in the provision of a device which-will clearly and accurately automatically mark a series of successive articles regardless of variation in the size of the articles or the height at which the same are fed to thedevice.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the character indicated having novel means for advancing and retractin the marking element.

A' further object of the invention is the provision of a devicewhich will automatically mark objects of varioussizes, or mark in recesses in objects, without the necessity of adjustingthe device to accommodate such articles.

A further object of the invention is the pros vision of timing means for the markingoperation;

A still furtherobject of the invention resides in the provision-of adjusting means for the marking device whereby the contacting of the impression element with'the article can be varied widely-from a very slight contact to a heavy blow.

'A- still further object resides in the provision of automatic inking means, and means for guiding an inking roller-in contact with'an impression element, whereby the surface of the element is properly inked without allowing the inking roller to contact any other partof the device.

Other objects of my invention will be manifest from the following detailed descriptionand the accompanying drawings. 1

In the drawings: r

Fig. '1 is a "front elevational'outline view of the conveyor of a packaging machine employing my improved marking device 3 Figs. 2 and 3 are front elevational views of a switch and switch actuating mechanism for the "device shown in different positions;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the switch "and mechanism of Figs. 2 and 3; "Fig:5 is--anenlarged front elevational view of the-mark-ing device;

Figs. 6 and 7 are side elevational views of the marking device in different positions;

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of one end of the toggle connecting bar shown in Figs. 6 and 7; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the device showing a modified inking mechanism; and

Figs. 10 and 11 are fragmentary elevational views of the device of Fig. 9 in different positions.

Referring to the drawings in detail and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is illustrated in outline a conveyor 4 and a frame 6 supporting a bracket I I having a switch 8 and a switch actuating arm [0 mounted thereon adjacent each other. The arm [0 projects downwardly below the upper surface of substantially evenly spaced articles l2 on the conveyor so as to be engaged thereby as the articles are moved forward by the conveyor 4. While this switch and arm are shown spaced to one side of the stamping device designated generally as [4, it is to be understood that, if desired, they may be mounted on the same support as the stamping device. and the actuating arm 10, it is to be understood that electronic equipment may be employed and actuated as the articles interrupt a light beam, in which event it is not necessary that the articles be evenly spaced on the conveyor.

As the conveyor 4 moves an article l2 to the right, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the lower curved portion of the arm [0 is engaged by the article and the arm is moved in a counterclockwise direction, the aim being secured to a rod [6 rotatably mounted in the bracket H. The arm 10 carries a bar I8 pivoted thereto at (Fig. 4), and a stop 22 for one end of the bar I8 is also mounted on they arm l0 against which that end of the bar [8 is held by a compression spring 24. The end of the spring opposite the end engaging the bar is held in position by a shoulder 26 on the projecting end of a rod 28 which is fixed to a bracket or lug 30 on the arm ID. The end of the pivoted bar I8 remote from the end adjacent the stop 22 is preferably cylindrical and is reduced in diameter relatively to the major portion of the bar. The reduced end of the bar is adapted to engage a roller 32 carried on an arm 34 which is pivoted at 36 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) and is provided with a laterally projecting flange or lug 38 adapted to press a switch button 40 of the switch 8 against the ction of its spring 4| to close an electrical circuit schematically shown at 43 in Fig. 1 through line 42 to the stamping device I4.

It will be apparent that when an article I2 contacts the arm [0 and moves the same about its pivot the switch button 40 will be engaged by the lug 38 whereby the circuit will be closed to the stamping device as aforesaid. When the arm rides off the container, the arm is restored to its normal position by means of a spring 44 having one end secured to a pin 45 fixed to the rod [6 and having its other end secured to a pin 45 on the bracket l I.

An. adjustable screw 46 is mounted on the bracket II for adjusting the limit of travel of the arm to predetermine the time the circuit to the marking device is maintained closed. As will be seen from Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, when the lug Instead of the switch 8 I 38 engages the button 40 *an'd'presses the same against the action of spring 4| to close the circuit as aforesaid, the further movement of the arm It, by reason of its engagement with one of the articles [2, will cause the bar l8, as it rides on the roller 32, to move about its pivot against the action of its spring 24 and to ride off the roller whereupon the roller arm 34 and the button 40 will return to their respective normal positions thereby opening the circuit to the marking device.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the interval of time the circuit is closed can be readily adjusted by means of the adjustable screw 46.

The switch mechanism just described is actuated in timed relation with the stamping device I4 so that an article is in proper position in alignment with the marking element of the device when the switch is actuated. It is to be understood that the article in alignment with the marking element may, if desired, be the same article that actuates the switching mechanism. The marking of the same article is accomplished by having the marking element mounted on the frame 6 adjacent the switching mechanism.

The marking device l4 preferably is mounted in a frame or casting 50 (Figs. 6 and '7) clamped in any suitable manner to a bar 52 which in turn is secured to the frame 6 or if desired may be part of, or secured to, an independent support for the device. The stamping device is operated by a solenoid 54 having a plunger 56, the solenoid receiving its operating current through the line 42 leading from the switch 8.

Extending through the upper end of the solenoid plunger 56 is a pin 58 (Fig. 8) the ends of which are secured in eyes in the ends of the 0- link 60 (Fig. 5). A coil spring 62 is supported at its upper end on a pin 64 mounted on an arm 66 secured to the frame or casting 50 of the device, and has its lower end attached to the link 60.

A rocker arm 68 passes transversely through the link 66 and has an aperture 69 through which the pin 58 passes whereby to provide a pivoted connection for the arm 68 with the solenoid plunger 56. The ends of the arm 68 are bifurcated as shown at 10 and 12 (Figs. 6 and 7), but may be slotted if desired. The end engages a pin 14 carried by a marking rod 16 adapted for reciprocation in a bearing 18. This bearing is provided at its top and bottom ends with circular ball bearing races (Fig. 6) which provide free reciprocatory movement for the rod 16. It is to be understood that any suitable type of bearings, other than the ball bearing races 80, may be employed, if desired. The rocker arm 68 and the marking rod 16 may be regarded as a rocking arm. The other end of the rocker arm 68 engages the straight middle portion of a bail 82, which is bent at an angle as shown in Fig. 8 and provided with laterally projectin ends pivotally mounted in a pair of fixed arms secured to the respective ends of a rod 82 in the casting 50 by nuts as shown in Fig. 5.

A plate 94 secured to the outside of the bearing 18 carries a pin I6 at its upper end which provides a pivotal connection for an arm 88 (Figs. 6 and '7). As will be seen from Fig. 8, the other end of the arm 98 is slotted at I80 to receive the pin 58 of the link mechanism attached to the upper end of the solenoid plunger 56. Instead of the pin 58 extending through the slot I00, it may ride on the upper surface of the arm 88, and the arm provided with an upwardly extending projection to limit the relative movement of the arm and pin. The extreme end of the arm 98 is connected to the bail 82 by a coil spring N32. Th bail t2, spring I92 and arm 95 contstitute a toggle. The downward movement of the solenoid plunger carries with it the arms 68 and 98, and breaks the toggle to eifect retraction of the marking rod 16 in the manner hereinafter described.

The mounting of the end of the spring H32 on the rod 98 as just described has an important function in the device of the present invention in that it determines the point of suspension of the spring I02. The other end of the spring I02 or the point of attachment thereof to the bail is adjustable relatively to th point of suspension, in the manner to be described presently.

It will be appreciated that the shorter the distance of travel of the toggle before breaking, the lighter will be the pressure of the impression element on the article; and the greater the distance of travel of the toggle before breaking, the heavier will be the blow of the impression element. The impact or" the impression element will also depend on the power of the spring 62.

In other words the starting point of operation of the toggle, and the power of the spring 82, determine the pressure of the element on the article.

Accordingly, I have provided adjusting means whereby the starting point (if-operation of the toggle can be adjusted which in turn will vary the pressure of the impression element on the article from a very slight contact to a relatively heavy blow. This adjusting means is such that the setting of the toggle can be varied from a-point a minimum distance, or just slightly, in advance of dead center to a point a maximum distance from dead center whereby adjustment cithe pressure applied to the article can b varied within a wide range.

Theadjusting means comprises an adjusting arm 86 (Figs. 5 and 63) mounted on one end of the bail 82 by means 01" a set screw 8?. This arm is provided with a pin 39 which projects laterally thereof, whereby to engage the fixed arm 98. By loosening the set screw 87 itwill be appreciated that the arm 85 may be rotated to any desired adjusted position on the end of the bail 82 and may be locked in adjusted position by tightening the set screw 67.

For example, should it be desired to have the toggle brought closer to dead center than as shown in Fig. 6, it is merely necessary'to loosen the set screw 8?, depress th bail to the desired adjusted position while maintaining the pin' 89 in contact with the arm 99 and then tighten the set screw in its adjusted position.

In the adjusted position just proposed it will be appreciated that the toggle will break on a short" er travel of the solenoid plunger than would be the case were the parts left in the position illustrated.

It is to be understood that other adjusting means may be provided instead of that illustrated. For example an adjusting block may be mounted in the casing directly over the bail 82 whereby upon adjusting the block the position of the bail 82, or the point of contact of the spring N32 with the bail 82 would be varied with respect to the point of suspension of the spring.

As previously mentioned one adaptation of the marking device illustrated is for stamping or printing an impression on articles, hence the marking rod 16 is provided at its lower extremity with an impression element, which maybe a conventional rubber stamp H0 carried in a frame 1 [2 which can be demounted for replacement of the impression elementby removing the screw H t. The frame has an upwardly projecting flange M6 on which an inking roller I It for the impression element may roll when out of contact'with the face of the impression element during the printing operation. If desired, instead of the inking roller illustrated, an inked ribbon may be suitably supported intermediate the impression element'and the article.

The roller i It is freely rotatable on ashaft formed on the end of a rod I62, theother end of which is pivotally mounted at I22 to the-casting or frame 553 (Figs. 6 and '7). A coil spring l24 for urgingthe inking roller H8 toward the impression element has one end secured to the frame of the bearing 18 and its other end attached to the inking roller arm I20. To prevent the inkin roller H8 from passing beyond the impression element I provide an adjustable stop arm I25 adapted to engage the bar 52 of the support. It is to be understood that any desired adjustable stop may be substituted for the one illustrated.

I It will be appreciated from the structure herein illustrated that the marking device, While shown as mounted in a vertical position is adapted-to operate in any position.

The operation of the device is as follows: When one ofthe articles 12 is moved by the conveyor '4 into engagement with the switch actuating arm iii the arm is moved in a counterclockwise direction closing the switch 8 to supply current to energize the solenoid 55 thereby causing the plunger 56 thereof tomove downwardly placing the spring 62 under tension. As the plunger moves downwardly it will carry with it the rocker arm 63 which in turn causes the printing rod 16 to move downwardly in its bearing l8 until the impression element engages an article l2 directly below the impression element. During this downward movement of the plunger 56 and rod 15, the bail may remain in the position shown in'Fig. 6, or it may move downwardly with the plunger and rod. In either event, the bail serves as a fulcrum for the rock arm 68 which pivots on the pin 58 during the movement of the plunger and arm. Immediately after engagement of the impression element with an article the impression element is retracted in spite of the continued travel of the plunger 58 If on the downward movement of the rocker arm, the solenoid plunger should reach its lowermost limit of travel, and the marking rod has not at that time reached the object to be marked, then the marking rod, through-momentum, will continue its travel into contactwith the article against the action of the spring I02, and under such conditions the rod will immediately be retracted in the manner aforesaid. This is one of the important features of the present invention. This immediate retractionis accomplished by the novel mechanism comprising the toggle connections. When the printing element contacts the article as shown in Fig. '7, its travel is interrupted and irrespective of the distance traveled, the continued downward movement of the plunger will pull the toggle past dead center whereupon the spring Hi2 will instantaneously flip or snap the rocker arm and move it in a clockwise direction about the pin 58 and retract the printing rod 15.

In the position of the parts shown in Figs. 5

and 6 the printing element is out of contact with the article to be marked and ready to be moved into printing engagement therewith upon closing of the switch 8 to energize the solenoid 54. In this position it will be noted that the arm 68 is free to rotate on the pin 58 upon downward movement of the solenoid plunger. Upon the printing element contacting the article, with the desired pressure, the parts are in the position as shown in Fig. 7, and as will be seen the toggle is on dead center with the spring I02 of the toggle under tension and is about to break on slight further downward travel of the solenoid plunger. Upon breaking of the toggle the end 12 of the rocker arm 68 is instantly depressed causing the other end of the rocker arm to be swung upwardly carrying the printing rod I6 with it.

After the plunger 56 has completed its stroke the plunger, rocker arm and toggle are restored to their respective normal positions as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 by means of the spring 62.

As the printing rod moves downwardly as just described the inking roller I I8 (Figs. 1, and 5 to 7 inclusive) will roll against the face of the impression element and apply ink thereto, and as the element continues its travel in the printing direction the roller is forced by the printing rod against the action of the spring I24 out of the path of the element to be ready for the next cycle of operation.

The modified inking mechanism illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11, inclusive, comprises an inking roller I30 carried on the end of a rod I32 pivotally mounted at I34 to the bearing I8. The rod is provided with a cam follower I36 adjustably secured thereon and adapted to ride in a cam slot I38 of a cam member or bracket I40 which is secured to the frame I I2 of the impression element IIO by means of screws I42. As the printing rod I6 and the impression element move downwardly, in the manner previously described, the cam member or bracket I40 will be carried downwardly thereby, from the position shown in Fig. 10 to the position shown in Fig. 11, to make an impression on the article I2. During this downward movement the cam follower I36 will ride outwardly of the cam slot I38 causing the inking L roller to ride across in contact with the face of the impression element, whereby to ink the element. Upon upward movement of the impression element, the cam follower rides inwardly of the cam slot to the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10, whereby again to ride across in contact with the face of the element to again ink the same. The inward movement of the cam follower in the cam slot is arrested by the engagement of the follower with the bottom of the slot, whereby stop members, such as the stop arm I26 of Figs. 6 and 7, are unnecessary. Likewise by reason of the cam follower being guided into and out of inking position, by the cam member, there is no need for a spring such as the spring I24 of Figs. 1, 5, 6 and 7. Moreover, the inking roller in the modification of Figs. 9, l0 and 11 does not contact any part of the frame of the impression element,

as does the inkin roller II8 which must necessarily contact the flange I I6.

While I have described my invention as being automatically operated it is to be understood that the same is adapted for manual operation if desired. A foot or hand operated switch may be substituted for the switch 8 and placed at a convenient location for the operator. A cam switch, a motor flasher, photoelectric means, or any other desired type of switch or actuating means may be employed with my device within the purview of my invention.

In adapting my device to a different type of marking it is merely necessary to substitute for the impression element IIO an element to provide the different type of marking. For example, a steel die may be substituted therefor which will result in making a depression marking in the article to be marked. Or, if desired, the impression element may be an etching device which would receive the etching acid from a roller similar to the inking roller I I8, or I30.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the device is so delicately adjustable that a very slight contact of the printing rod with the article to be marked will cause the immediate retraction of the printing rod and the printing and withdrawal of the impression element are effected so quickly that if there is any relative movement of the articles and impression element during the impression effecting operation, it is so slight that there is no blurring of the impression made by the element.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a simple, reliable article marking mechanism which is sturdy in construction and can be subjected to prolonged use without necessitating repairs.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiment of the in vention herein illustrated and described as obviously various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

This is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 497,149, filed August 3, 1943, now abandoned.

What I claim is:

1. A device for marking articles comprising a marking rod carrying an impression element, a bearing in which said rod is adapted to reciprocate, a solenoid having a plunger, a swingable toggle, a lever pivotally attached intermediate its ends to the plunger of said solenoid and having one of its ends pivotally attached to said rod, the other end of said lever being attached to said toggle so that the latter acts as an anchor for said lever and movement of said plunger upon energization of the solenoid effects displacement of said rod toward an article to be marked, means swinging said toggle in response to continued movement of said plunger immediately after said impression element has engaged the article to be marked in a direction to cause said lever to rock about its pivotal connection to the plunger and retract the marking rod.

2. A device for marking articles comprising a marking rod carrying an impression element, a bearing in which said rod is adapted to reciprocate, a solenoid having a plunger, a toggle, a lever pivotally attached intermediate its ends to the plunger of said solenoid and having one of its ends pivotally attached to said rod, the other end of said lever being attached to said toggle whereby movement of said plunger upon energization of solenoid will cause said rod to move toward an article to be marked, means operative in response to continued movement of said plunger after said impression member has engaged the article to be marked to break said toggle and thereby cause said lever to move about its pivotal connection to the plunger in the opposite direction and retract the marking rod, and means for adjusting said toggle whereby to determine the extent of movement thereof.

3. A device comprising means for moving articles successively in spaced relation; a rod carrying a marking element, a bearing memberin which said rod is adapted to reciprocate; antifriction bearings in said bearing member; a solenoid having a plunger; link mechanism cooperating with said plunger for moving said rod in one direction; a spring for moving it in the opposite direction; an electrc circuit for said solenoid; and switch mechanism actuated by the moving articles to open and close saidcircuit whereby to energize and deenergize said solenoid to cause the plunger, link mechanism and spring to reciprocate said rod in synchronism with the advancing of the articles; said link mechanism including a toggle and a rocker arm pivoted intermediate its ends to the plunger of said solenoid and having a pivotal connection at one end to said rod and at its other end to said toggle, whereby upon the marking element reaching its limit of travel by engagement with an article, and upon continued movement of the plunger, the said spring will retract said rod.

4. A device comprising means for moving articles successively in spaced relation; a rod carrying a marking element; a bearing member in which'said rod is adapted to reciprocate; a solenoid having a plunger; link mechanism cooperating with said plunger for imparting motion to said rod in one direction; a spring for moving the plunger in the opposite direction; an electric circuit for said solenoid; switch mechanism actuated by the moving articles to open and close said circuit whereby to energize and deenergize said solenoid to cause the plunger, link mechanism and spring to effect reciprocation of said rod in synchronism with the advancing of the articles; said link mechanism including a toggle and a rocker arm pivoted intermediate its ends to the plunger of said solenoid and having a pivotal connection at one end to said rod and at its other end to said toggle, whereby upon the plunger reaching its limit of travel the rod will continue by momentum until its marking element contacts the article, and upon said contact, the said spring will retract said rod; and meansfor regulating the throw of said toggle.

5. A device comprising means for moving articles successively in spaced relation; a rod carrying a marking element; a bearing member in which said rod is adapted to reciprocate; antifriction bearings in said bearing member; a solenoid having a plunger; link mechanism cooperating with said plunger for moving said rod in one direction; a spring for moving the plunger in the opposite direction; an electric circuit for said solenoid; and switch mechanism actuated by the moving articles to open and close said circuit whereby to energize and deenergize said solenoid to cause the plunger, link mechanism and spring to reciprocate said rod in synchronism with the advancing of the articles; said link mechanism including a toggle and a rocker arm pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the plunger of said solenoid and having one of its ends pivotally and slidably connected to said rod and its other end pivotally and slidably connected to said toggle; said solenoid when energized causing its plunger to move in the direction of an article to be marked and carrying said rod in its bearing member into contact with the article, the further movement of said plunger in its travel in the direction of the article breaking said toggle whereby the said rocker arm will be moved about its pivotal connection in said 1e plunger to permit said-rod to be retracted by said spring. V

6. In a marking device, an impression member mounted for reciprocating movement, a lever' having one end shiftably connected to said member, fulcrum means having'the other end of said lever shiftably connected thereto, power actuated means pivotally connected to said lever between the ends thereof for, moving said lever in a direction to cause said member to engage an article, spring means, shiftable linkage connecting said spring means with said lever adjacent said power actuated means comiection, said springmeans being adapted for moving said lever in a direction to retract said member upon shifting of said fulcrum and linkage means, and means for shifting said linkage means and said fulcrum means responsive to the engagement of the article by said member to render said spring means effective to move said lever in the direction to retract said member.

7; Ina marking device, an impression member mounted for reciprocating movement, a lever having one end shiftably connected to said member and having a slot in the other end thereof, fulcrum means in said slot, power actuated means pivotallyconnected to said leverbetween the ends thereof for moving said lever in a direction to cause said member to engage an'article, spring means, shiftable linkage including a slotconnecting said spring means with said lever'adjacent said power actuated'means connection, said spring means being adapted for moving said lever in a direction to retract said member upon shifting of said fulcrum and linkage means-,and means for shifting said linkage means and said fulcrum means in said slots responsive to the engagement of the article by said member to render said spring means effective to move said lever in-the direction to retract said member.

8. In a marking device, an impression member mounted for reciprocating movement, a'lever',

having one end shiftably connected to said member, fulcrum means having the otherend of said lever shiftably connected thereto, power actuated means pivotally connected to said lever between the ends thereof for moving said lever in a direction to cause said member to engage an article, spring means, shiftable linkage connecting said spring means with said lever adjacent said power actuated means connection, said spring means being adapted for moving said lever in a direction to retract said member upon shifting of said fulcrum and linkage means, and means for shifting said linkage means and said fulcrum means responsive to the engagement of the article by said member to render said spring means efi'ective to movesaid lever in the direction to retract said member, said last mentioned means including a resilient member constructed and arranged to normally retain said linkage and fulcrum means in a position to maintain said power actuated means effective and to yield upon engagement of the impression member with the article to permit said fulcrum shifting means to become operative to render said spring means efiective.

9. In a marking device, an'impression member mounted for reciprocating movement, a lever having one end shiftably connected to said member and having a slot in the other end thereof, fulcrum means in said slot having the other end of said lever shiftably connected thereto, power actuated means pivotally connected to said lever between the ends thereof for moving said lever in a direction to cause said member to engage an article, spring means, shiftable linkage, including a slot connecting said spring means with said lever adjacent said power actuated means connection, said spring means being adapted for moving said lever in a direction to retract said member upon shifting of said fulcrum and linkage means, and means in said slots for shifting said linkage means and said fulcrum means responsive to the engagement of the article by said member to render said spring means effective to move said lever in the direction to retract said member, said last mentioned means including a resilient member constructed and arranged to normally retain said linkage and fulcrum means in a position in said slots to maintain said power actuated means effective and to yield upon engagement of the impression member with the article to permit said fulcrum shifting means to become operative to render said spring means effective.

10. In a marking device, an impression element mounted for reciprocating movement, a lever having one end shiftably connected to said element, fulcrum means having the other end of the lever shiftably connected thereto, a solenoid having a plunger pivotally connected to said lever between the ends thereof for moving said lever to impart movement to said element in the direction of an article to be marked, spring means,

shiftable linkage connecting said spring means with said lever, the said spring means yielding when the said plunger reaches the limit of its travel whereby to permit the said element to continue its travel under its momentum to bring the marking element into contact with the article to be marked, and being operable to retract the said element after the latter has contacted the article.

- 11. In a marking device, an impression member mounted for reciprocating movement, a lever having one end shiftably connected to said member, fulcrum means having the other end of said lever shiftably connected thereto, power actuated means pivotally connected to said lever between the ends thereof for moving said lever in a direction to cause said member to engage an article, spring means, shiftable linkage connecting said spring means with said lever adjacent said power actuatedmeans connection, said spring means being adapted for moving said lever in a direction to retract said member upon shifting of said fulcrum and linkage means, means for shifting said linkage means and said fulcrum means responsive to the engagement of the article by said member to render said spring means effective to move said lever in the direction to retract said member, and means for adjusting the extent of movement of said shifting means.

12. In a marking device, an impression member mounted for reciprocating movement, a lever having one end shiftably connected to said member and having a slot in the other end thereof, fulcrum means in said slot having the other end of said lever shiftably connected thereto, power actuated means pivotally connected to said lever between the ends thereof for moving said lever in a direction to cause said member to engage an article, spring means, shiftable linkage including a slot connecting said spring means with said lever adjacent said power actuated means connection, said spring means being adapted for moving said lever in a direction to retract said member upon shifting of said fulcrum and linkage means, means in said slots for shifting said linkage means and said fulcrum means responsive to the engagement of the article by said member to render said spring means effective to move said lever in the direction to retract said member, said last mentioned means including a resilient member constructed and arranged to normally retain said linkage and fulcrum means in a position in said slots to maintain said power actuated means effective and to yield upon engagement of the article by said member to permit said fulcrum shifting means to become operative to render said spring means effective, and means for adjusting the extent of movement of said shifting means.

13. A device for marking articles comprising a marking rod carrying an impression element, bearing means supporting said rod for reciprocating movement, an operating solenoid having a plunger which is displaced when said solenoid is energized, a lever pivotally attached intermediate its ends to said plunger and at one end to said rod, a swingable fulcrum member pivotally connected to the other end of said lever, means connected to said fulcrum member to hold the latter in position to serve as an anchor for said lever when said plunger is displaced so that said rod is moved to marking position and operative in response to a predetermined displacement of said plunger to Swing said fulcrum member and rock said lever in the direction effecting movement of said rod away from said marking position, an electric circuit for said solenoid, and means for energizing and de-energizing said circuit.

ERHARD KLUG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 319,962 Daguin June 16, 1885 1,314,133 Elam Aug. 26, 1919 1,582,217 Henry Apr. 27, 1926 1,940,691 Nefi Dec. 26, 1933 2,113,867 Weymouth Apr. 12, 1935 2,185,797 Muller Jan. 2, 1940 2,265,584 Stiegler Dec. 9, 1941 2,330,387 Ruttiman Sept. 28, 1943 2,348,566 Papazian May 9, 1944 2,523,430 Hearn Sept. 26, 1950 

